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Hydrazine
05-28-2020, 01:14 AM
Hello Everyone,

For this 4th of July I would like to use a music synchronized firing system that can not only sequence the triggering of pyrotechnic ignitions but also control the actuation of 12V relays, of varying on/off times, to a programmed sequence, in sync with the music.

Is there a system that can do this?

The 12V relays will be used to control the actuation of propane poofers, propane cannons, their solenoid valves and spark igniters.
A 12v car battery will be used as the power supply for the propane hardware and the 12V relays can turn on/off the propane valves and spark ignitors as needed, however the 12V relays need a activation signal from a controller. The 12V relays dont require much current to be activated but they do need a variable, programmable, on/off time for the propane effects.

The plan is to sync up The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and other American Patriotic Songs to the cannons, poofers, fireworks and mortars.

Below is an example of 8 synchronized propane poofers running on a chase sequence. Really cool effects can be made with it.

https://youtu.be/0EpqyCZnwzU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EpqyCZnwzU&feature=youtu.be

A 4th of July backyard show with music, poofers, propane cannons, fireworks and mortars all synchronized together will make a backyard fireworks show the family will remember. The poofers and cannons are operated by actuating two 12V relays on each. A 12V propane valve and a 12V spark igniter switched by their respective 12V relays. The actuation duration and timing of the relays will need to be independent and variable.

For example, a propane cannon (depending on its size) will need its propane valve opened for 0.25-5 seconds, closed and immediately followed by a 0.5 second actuation of the spark generator to fire it off. A propane cannon can be re-fired over and over in rapid succession, creating a ton of noise and lots of synchronized effect. With different sizes of propane cannons (large, medium and small) the small cannons only need a short duration charge of propane for 0.25-1 second.
The large cannons will need a longer propane injection time of 2-5 seconds. And this is why independent control of timing and duration of relay control is needed.

A pyrotechnic firing system normally doesn't need to do anything like this.... but this application requires it.

There are sophisticated computerized Xlight Christmas pixel sequencers/controllers and DMX stage light controllers that can do all this and 1000X more.... but they have a catch. They aren't designed or intended to be used on pyrotechnics. Light controllers have a very different requirement for safety and reliability. They may work well for controlling a fireworks show but it would be risky. Light controllers are known to sometimes glitch and make a pixel or light briefly flash when it was never intended. A blink would be of no consequence in a Christmas light display but a blink would be entirely unacceptable in a pyrotechnic system. Pixel and light controllers are not the way to go. This needs to be a "fireworks firing system" that can music synchronize a sequence to fireworks and relays with variable actuation times... and re-fire the same channels as many times as needed.

Is there a fireworks firing system that can do this?

Thank you!
Tony

Scotty Rockets
05-28-2020, 04:49 AM
The fireTEK firing system is one of the few systems that offer DMX control. Look up Galaxis and LeMaitre flame units. You can also purchase cheap Chinese flame machines on eBay, be aware that these systems offer no safety features and are not approved for professional use.

Here is a video showing the fireTEK firing system running DMX scripts controlling PAR lights and eBay flame machines.
https://youtu.be/nCTyhcp6pqw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCTyhcp6pqw&feature=youtu.be

Arclight
05-28-2020, 06:28 PM
Maybe something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Delay-Relay-Board-Switch-Module/dp/B00VFUG3KK

cjurczak
05-28-2020, 08:07 PM
Simplifire Mongoose also has a DMX control option. You could run one PC for xlights, music playback and Mongoose to keep everything in sync.

Hydrazine
05-29-2020, 08:34 AM
Thanks everyone. Its good to see there are real options available.

esgrillo
05-29-2020, 01:35 PM
I have done DMX control of flame machines, Chauvet 140SR Hybrid rotating heads, and laser lights with Cobra initiation via timecode. Check my youtube channel for a couple of videos on how I did it.